Cheesecake Factory Menu Items With The Worst Reviews

Unlike your average chain restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory does everything in excess. Their menu features more than 200 items spanning across cuisines that are often hiding jaw-dropping calorie counts (via Business Insider). The slightly upscale restaurant chain offers dozens of flavors of cheesecake and rarely doles out a dish that's not served in a massive portion. While it might not be the healthiest option in the sea of chain restaurants, it's definitely a place that thrives on making things extra. So, even if you stop by your local Cheesecake Factory for a weeknight dinner, the over-the-top menu, the décor, and the portion sizes will make it feel like a special celebration. 

Sprinkled into The Cheesecake Factory's never-ending menu are a few universally-beloved items. Fried Macaroni & Cheese, Avocado Eggrolls, and Thai Lettuce Wraps are popular picks for diners (and for at-home chefs attempting to recreate some of the chain's menu items, such as its famous cheesecake). However, there are a few items hiding in the 10+ page-menu that are worth skipping entirely, according to folks on the internet. 

We decided to round up a few Cheesecake Factory menu items that have received some of the worst reviews from customers. We are all very particular when it comes to the food we enjoy, but it's worth knowing about some items that aren't smash hits before spending money on a massive plate of food you may not end up eating. 

The Cheesecake Factory attempts to set apart its burger menu by referring to it as a selection of "Glamburgers." However, the original Factory Burger is not a favorite among some customers. It's your typical burger with lettuce, tomato, onions, and pickles, so there are definitely other options with more flavorful toppings. It's also lacking cheese, making it a straight-up classic hamburger.

One Zomato user particularly had a dining experience where the already average-tasting burger was missing a little tender loving care. "The bread on my Factory Burger was so overly toasted it was nearly inedible and my burger patty was quite overcooked," the user wrote. "It could be in part that this menu item is just not very good even at its best." It might be better to stick to a burger with bacon or other unique toppings to add a little something extra to this plain Jane sandwich. 

Fish & chips is a typical bar food, especially if you're dining somewhere close to a body of water. It's a simple plate of fried fish, French fries, and tartar sauce. However, the internet isn't all that in love with The Cheesecake Factory's take on the British classic. One Reddit user, u/PissedPieGuy, called the dish a "joke" with "zero flavor." "Sure it was battered and fried. But the batter had no discernible flavor. Not even salt," the user wrote. If there's one thing you expect when eating this fried platter, it's that your mouth will water from the amount of salt, so that's a definite no-no.

One Trip Advisor review warns diners to not even bother ordering the dish for themselves. "The fish in the fish n' chips had 90% batter and 10% fish – my husband sent it back," the user wrote. As a note, The Cheesecake Factory has plenty of seafood-centric menu items, such as herb-crusted salmon and Jamaican black pepper shrimp, with much better reviews than the fish & chips.

The consensus that The Cheesecake Factory's Toasted Marshmallow S'mores Galore cheesecake is a miss was determined by a survey of Mashed readers. A U.S.-based survey found that 23% of 645 participants did not love the dessert. It's loaded with graham crackers, toasted marshmallow fluff, and Hershey's chocolate, but it might just be a bit too much for some people to cap off an already filling meal. 

S'mores is a dessert in and of itself, so it might be overwhelming to combine it with cheesecake. Plus, the texture is pretty one-note, aside from the graham cracker crumbles. The marshmallow fluff, whipped cream, and cheesecake filling all have a similar feel in your mouth, so it's not the most balanced dish, especially as it's rich with sugar. However, if you're a die-hard fan of the campfire treat, you might just have to ignore the mixed reviews and try it for yourself.

According to a review from Uproxx, the Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes are a must-skip at The Cheesecake Factory, despite their uniqueness and visual appeal. The review points out that they are not so bad that you'll want to spit out your first bite, but they are overly sweet to be served as an appetizer. The little corn cakes lack a true savory aspect, like meat or beans, that would balance out the flavor. Additionally, the review notes that the sweetness combined with avocado and tomato is just unsettling, as it feels like a mashup gone wrong. 

The Sweet Corn Tamale Cakes definitely has curb appeal, but don't be fooled by its colorful appearance. This is another Cheesecake Factory appetizer that's large enough to be an entrée, so it might be a mistake to pick this one lackluster item to chow down on instead of other tastier options. It's also not a crowd-pleaser, so it's not the best pick for something to share at the table.

The Cheesecake Factory is known for a lot of things, including its unique variety of spring rolls and egg rolls. Some are a smash hit — like the avocado or Tex Mex eggrolls that pack a lot of flavor complemented by punchy dipping sauces. However, the cheeseburger-filled option is a bit of a miss. In fact, a former employee told Business Insider that the sliders are worth skipping altogether. 

Overall, the fried pockets filled with beef, cheese, and onions are "not as flavorful as the other meals on the menu," the worker explained. Yelp reviews also describe the dish as "just okay," considering it's very easy for the wrappers to become greasy and lose their crispiness, which is one of the major appeals of a spring roll. Sometimes, innovation breeds great ideas, like the aforementioned egg rolls. But this one take just feels unnatural to taste classic American cheeseburger flavors packed inside of an egg roll. 

The Cheesecake Factory really hasn't met a regional cuisine it won't try to recreate. American diner classics, Italian staples, and Asian-inspired plates are all prominent within the pages of the book-like menu. However, according to Uproxx, the chain isn't the best option when it comes to Mexican food. In fact, most of the options within the review suggest that most diners pass on the Mexican-inspired options entirely, as they are all not so great. "The Cheesecake Factory doesn't know how to make Mexican Food," the Uproxx writer proclaims. 

The reviewer's take on "mole" sauce is weak, noting that the flavors just don't match up. If you're looking for amazing burritos and beans, hitting up a spot specializing in just Mexican food might be the better option here. It doesn't mean that any Mexican-inspired dish at the popular restaurant chain is inedible, but it just might not live up to the expectations of a hungry Cheesecake Factory patron. 

Alfredo sauce is definitely something that is a hit or a miss for a lot of people. It seems simple to make a cheese-based sauce in which to drown pasta, but the dish can easily fall victim to being one-note and lacking distinct flavors. Each element has to be executed well to make the dish stand out, and, according to one Yelp reviewer, The Cheesecake Factory's take on fettuccini Alfredo is less than satisfying.

The reviewer wrote that their chicken Alfredo order was a total "thumbs down." They claimed the pasta stuck together and seemed as though it was reheated after cooking. While the writer didn't totally hate the flavor, they made it clear that this pasta dish is not something they plan to order from the chain again, as it's not worth its price tag. Luckily, there are 200+ other items to choose from to avoid such crushing disappointment.